547. Ammonium Picrate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 131-74-8
2,4,6-Trinitrophenol ammonium salt (1:1); picric acid ammonium salt; ammonium picronitrate; ammonium carbazoate.
C6H6N4O7; mol wt 246.13.
C 29.28%, H 2.46%, N 22.76%, O 45.50%.

Description and references

Prepn: Berl, Berl, US 2350322 (1944). Crystal structure: Maartmann-Moe, Acta Crystallogr. 25B, 1452 (1969).

Chemical structure

Properties

Bright yellow, bitter scales or orthorhombic crystals. d 1.72. Explosive. Soly in water at 20°: about 1 g/100 ml. Slightly sol in alc. “Red modification” is not a distinct polymorph, but a slightly contaminated form of the yellow salt: Mitchell, Bryant, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 65, 128 (1943). Physiologic effects and protective measures in cases of exposure to ammonium picrate: Foulger, U.S. Armed Forces Med. J. 4, 1425 (1953).

Use

In explosives, fireworks, rocket propellants.